SUPPORT CONNECTION INC

Mission:
Support Connection''s primary mission is to provide emotional, social and educational support services to women, their families and friends affected by breast and ovarian cancer. The support provided enables women to help each other and empowers them to become their own healthcare advocates. Target demographics:
Women living with breast and ovarian cancer, as well as their families and friends. Programs:
Women with breast and ovarian cancer, or anyone needing information about these diseases, can come to our office or call us 5 days a week, 9 am - 5 pm NY time, and speak directly with a trained Peer Counselor, a cancer survivor who has traveled the journey already. Calls received after hours are returned the next business day. We have a toll-free number (800-532-4290) for information and support, making this service readily available to anyone nationwide.

Peer Counselors offer information about breast and ovarian cancer, ongoing emotional support, community resources and referrals, connections to other women with similar situations. There are no limits on our peer counseling services. This individualized, free support is available as often as you need it, for as long as you need it, regardless of where you are on your journey through diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

This survivor-to-survivor approach is central to our philosophy; it sets us apart and makes our services both effective and powerful. As one of our Peer Counselors said: “We have walked the walk. We have heard the words 'you have cancer,' felt the fear and anxiety, tried to find some sanity in it all and gone through the tests, the surgeries and the treatments. Just like the women who call, we have held the pieces of a cancer diagnosis together and continued raising our kids, working and maintaining households. We ourselves are women whose lives could not stop for cancer.”

Community Reviews

My mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2010.
I turned to Support Connection for guidance and support.
Their love, concern and compassion uplifted me and gave me the strength to help my mother through the confusing and frightening process.

Two years ago, in May 2012, I was blindsided with breast cancer. A Healthy, Happy 47 year old mother of 2 young boys, a medical professional, I worked out, ate good, had no family history, and had no lump. Because of my dense breasts, I had gone for an ultrasound, as well as mamo, that year. Like a ton of bricks, my diagnosis changed everything! So much to do-research, selecting new specialists and surgeons, surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, going bald :....( I could not burden my family with my thoughts and feelings- I was devastated. Support Connection came into my life the day I got my head shaved. How refreshing that I could go to a place where all these people had gone through what I was now going through. I sat back and listened to the others tell their stories and then, very emotionally, I told mine. It felt so good to not have to "Cancer Dance". I didn't have to worry about upsetting anyone, because we're all in the same boat. The staff is second to none- these ladies are Angels sent from Heaven. They themselves are survivors and are compassionate, caring and chock full of helpful information! I continue to go to group, twice a month, when I can, and volunteer to spread the word about this oh so necessary non profit. I have seen them touch the lives of so many, including myself.

Out of the blue, smack dab in the middle of a healthy, fun, full life as a wife, mother of 2 young boys and a respected employee in the medical field, came my diagnosis- "Breast Cancer". I was thrown into a whirlwind of unimaginable fear. How could this be happening to me? Perfect blood work on a recent physical exam, I worked out, ate healthy, felt great, perfect mammograms for 10+ years, have no family history and no signs or symptoms whatsoever! There was no lump. I found out the hard way that cancer does not discriminate. I have had 2 surgeries, 11 chemos, to date, and will be undergoing 6 weeks of radiation. An acquaintance from my neighborhood, a Support Connection facilitator, literally took me by the hand and introduced me to "Group". The same morning, she drove me to get my head buzzed. I cannot thank her or Support Connection enough! These women are for real and are a God send! Being survivors themselves, they are compassionate, caring, knowledgeable, friendly, and down to earth. Whether over the phone or at a meeting, I've talked to counselors that are unbelievably accommodating. They have made me realize that I will get through this, just like they did. I have learned so much about the disease and about myself since last August, when I started attending monthly meetings. To be able to talk about anything, without having to worry about upsetting anyone, is so refreshing. To have other women talk about their experience, that are currently undergoing treatment, like myself, is awesome. Hats off to Support Connection!! ( Even if I'm still bald).

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I have been involved with the support connection for 20 years I volunteered to do the warm up at their annual walk they are so caring and supportive and help so many through their wonderful programs, caring staff and dedication to their mission to help our community

Support Connection has been there for me through the years . First as I dealt with my moms diagnosis with Ovarian cancer and then for me when I received the same diagnosis . Help is always just a phone call away!

How do you feel you were treated by this organization?

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

One of the first phone calls I made after being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2010 was to Support Connection. I was connected immediately to a counselor who listened to and helped calm my fears. Two days after my conversation with her I received an envelope in the mail filled with all kinds of information . I have taken advantage of many of the services Support Connection offers from Support Groups, to various seminars . It's a great feeling knowing that someone to talk to is only a phone call away ....and these services are always free !

How do you feel you were treated by this organization?

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

What a caring wonderful group of people that donate their time to help those of us that need it . I thought " chemo-brain" was just one of those things you hear about until I went to the " chemo-brain" discussion and realized there were many just like me . Also attended the Lymphedema Clinic and went home with lots of great information. Thanks Support Connection ! I look forward to more valuable programs !

I've been lucky, no one in my family has been a victim of breast or ovarian cancer but we all know people who have. Support Connection is a place to turn when you or a loved one gets the news need a shoulder to lean on, Where better to seek advice than from a place where people have walked in your shoes, know what it's like and are there to listen, share and offer support when you need it most. I walk for my friend Lenore and her sister. I walk so if my daughters ever need a place to turn, Support Connection will be there for them.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer almost 5 years ago. It was hard on the entire family but worse for my wife. She felt very alone and that I was not the greatest at support because I was afraid and didn't know what to say or do. Finally my wife contacted support connection on the advice of one of her drs. Support connection had been very helpful to my wife which in turn was very helpful to me and my kids. She didn't feel so alone and misunderstood after talking to people who had similar problems and issues. She still attends a support group now and has volunteered at many functions. Thank you support connection for all that you do.

Support connection has been a life saver to me. I had breast cancer 4years ago and when I was really down and felt alone and overwhelmed I called support connection. It was a. Very hard phone call to make. But I am so happy that I did. I spoke to one of their counselors who was so much help to me. My family was not overly supportive because they were afaid of my diagnosis and in denial about everything. But support connection made me feel that I was not alone in my fears and needs and were so understanding because they too had been diagnosed with cancer. Since then I have participated in many of their programs and made several good friends. I still go to a support group and I have volunteered to help at functions and fund raisers. I think support connection is a wonderful organization and I would do anything to help them. They deserve to be noticed for the great things they do.

I would do anything I possibly can to have Support Connection noticed by all. They have been the greatest support and friends that I can imagine during the hardest times of my life and even during the good times of my life.
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 4 years ago in November. I went through surgery, chemo and radiation. After all was done, life supposedly would go back to normal. Well for everyone else around me, except me. I felt I was falling in to a deep dark hole that nobody quite understood. I really didn't know where to turn. The wonderful people at the cancer center at NWH suggested I contact the Support Connection. It was such a hard phone call to make but once I spoke to the first person I felt that phone call was absolutely the best decision of my life. The counselors and everybody at support connection have just been fantastic. Understanding empathetic and Knowledgeable about anything that I needed to know. I have attended support group for about 3 years now and I have no intention of ever stopping. These people have become my friends and my lifeline to some degree of sanity in a crazy world. I have done some volunteer work for them and it is such a good feeling to give back to a group that I have the deepest love and respect for.
In closing, support connection has saved me and made me feel that I was not alone in my feelings. These people understand and have lived what we are going through or have gone through. I have had other medical problems since breast cancer and they have been supportive to me about all of that also. It is just so nice to have people to talk to that don't judge you and understand why you feel the way that you do. Unless you have had a cancer diagnosis, you cannot truly understand what somebody is going through. Even your doctors are not always supportive or understanding. But I can always count on the people at support connection to help me through the bad times and the good. I love the support connection and hope they will always be there to help.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I can't think of anything that I would change except possibly getting the organization noticed enough that they received some outside funding so they can continue to expand and help more people like me.

How would you describe the help you got from this organization?

Life-changing

How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?

Definitely

How do you feel you were treated by this organization?

Very Well

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I simply would not be in the healthy, happy place I'm in today without the support offered by Support Connection. They have not only been a great resource, but a true inspiration. I'm so happy to have them to lean on when I need an understanding ear, and I'm so grateful for all the programs and services they offer - some of which I would not have known would be beneficial to me otherwise. They are extremely professional, tirelessly dedicated to their mission, and an incredible support to the whole cancer community.

When I was diagnosed with a rare uterine cancer, a friend of mine referred me to Support Connection. I am eternally grateful to her, because I don't know where I'd be without them. At 31, it was nearly impossible for me to find anyone who shared my condition, and hard enough to find people my age who have experienced cancer at all. Support Connection gives me the community support that I need to stay strong and positive, and the opportunity to pay it forward. With them, I have enjoyed dragon boat racing on the Hudson River, received an immensely powerful support network, and I'm looking forward to some upcoming programs on meditation and nutrition! Support Connection is such a valuable part of my health and healing, physically and emotionally, and I honestly don't know what I'd do without them.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I was diagnosed with breast cancer August 15th 2013. The year has been difficult to say the least. I knew however that through my double mastectomy, chemotherapy and reconstruction, support connection would be there for me. They have supported me at my lowest and they understand what the world may not. I never felt judged, my feeling and opinions were valid. They understand that long after the chemo left my body, the true healing begins.
They offer workshops that are amazing. I know I have years ahead of me and long after no one wants to hear about my cancer I know that I can always pick up the phone.
If you have breast or ovarian cancer, please reach out to this wonderful organization. You really need to hear from people who have walked a similar walk. God Bless you...

I 1st picked up the phone 2/27/13 and spoke to a peer counselor who helped me so, much get through my bilateral mastectomy on 2/28/13 ,we spoke for one hour and she made it easier for me to walk into surgery oh I was scared but I new what to expect which made me feel better.
I still pick up t phone a year later on 2/27/14 I called Marlene to so hello and tell her it was year ago that we spoke and I how she helped me through the whole year.
I would recommend Support Connection to anyone that needs the support .

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Support Connection help me get through a bi lateral mastectomy & chemo. Before I called Support Connection I could not even say the words " I have breast cancer " but after talking to one of the peer counselor for one hour the day before my surgery I was not only able to say the words I have breast cancer but I was able to face my mastectomy with out fear and I knew what to expect. No one could tell you about the severe pain you will be in but she did not sugar coat it she did say there will be pain and drains , and I love her for being very honest with me. Because she is a survivor also made me fell comfortable talking with her .
I feel like I formed a relationship with her and Support Connection that will last a life time.